Compare the2023 Dodge ChargerVS 2023 Lexus ES

The Charger has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The ES doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Charger and the ES have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Dodge Charger is safer than the Lexus ES:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Dodge Charger is safer than the Lexus ES:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 10 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Charger’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Charger has a standard 730-amp battery. The ES’ 603-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the Charger is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Charger’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The ES’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 6th.

The Charger has more powerful engines than the ES:

As tested in Motor Trend the Charger Scat Pack 6.4 V8 is faster than the ES 300h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Charger R/T’s fuel efficiency. The ES doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Charger has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the ES Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Charger has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the ES’ standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.9 gallons).

The Charger has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The ES doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Charger Scat Pack’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The ES doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Charger’s brake rotors are larger than those on the ES:

The Charger GT/R/T/SXT AWD’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the ES are solid, not vented.

The Charger stops much shorter than the ES:

For better traction, the Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ES (305/35R20 vs. 235/45R18).

The Charger Scat Pack Widebody’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ES F Sport’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Charger R/T has standard 20-inch wheels. The ES’ largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Charger has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The ES’ suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Charger’s wheelbase is 7 inches longer than on the ES (120 inches vs. 113 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Charger is 1.4 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the ES.

The Charger’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the ES’ (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the Charger more stable handling and braking.

The Charger Scat Pack handles at .92 G’s, while the ES 300h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Charger Scat Pack executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.1 seconds quicker than the ES 300h (25.3 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Charger a Large car, while the ES is rated a Mid-size.

The Charger has 4.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ES (104.7 vs. 99.9).

The Charger has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear legroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room and 3.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the ES.

The Charger has a much larger trunk than the ES (16.5 vs. 13.9 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Charger’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the ES’ useful trunk space.

The Charger’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ES doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The Charger has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The ES has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Damping on the Charger uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The ES doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Charger is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the ES. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The Charger’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The ES does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Charger’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The ES’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Charger to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The ES doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Both the Charger and the ES offer optional heated front seats. The Charger also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the ES.

The Charger will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Charger will retain 51.11% to 58.82% of its original price after five years, while the ES only retains 42.74% to 46.28%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Charger is less expensive to operate than the ES because it costs $237 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Charger than the ES, including $109 less for a water pump, $314 less for a starter, $232 less for fuel injection, $303 less for front struts, $893 less for a timing belt/chain and $777 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Dodge Charger and the Lexus ES, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Dodge Charger outsold the Lexus ES by almost two to one during 2022.